Evolution

Ten years have passed since the Kitzmiller v. Dover trial, one of the most prominent public forays into evolution. But in the decade since what has changed about the perception of this topic? A recent decision in Alabama leaves a disclaimer in texts books stating that evolution is a “controversial theory.” University of Pennsylvania experts are available to speak about evolution.

Michael Weisberg

Professor and Chair of Philosophy.
School of Arts & Sciences.
University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Weisberg’s research focuses on the philosophy of science, especially the role of idealization in modeling. His other research includes social and cultural evolutionary theory, the nature of the chemical bond, the division of cognitive labor, and the public understanding of evolution and climate change.



Deena Weisberg

Senior Fellow in the Department of Psychology.
School of Arts & Sciences.
University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Weisberg’s research focuses on imaginative cognition, the role that the imagination plays in learning and scientific thinking and reasoning in children and adults. She is co-producing a documentary about evolution on the Galapagos Islands intended to examine what role films play in teaching the general public about science and how they can be made better.



Paul Sniegowski

Professor of Biology.
School of Arts & Sciences.
University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Sniegowski’s research uses population and evolutionary genetic theory as a framework for understanding the evolutionary significance of mutation rates and mutational phenomena. During the Kitzmiller v. Dover evolution trial in 2005, he and Michael Weisberg co-authored a letter on behalf of their departments supporting those educators who were against including intelligent design in school curriculums.